Improvement in toe-weights for horses



UNI'EED STATES vIDA'IEETT OEEIGEo SAMUEL A. PHELPS', OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN TOE-WEIGHTS FOR HORSES.

Speciiication forming part of Letters Patent No. 192,002, dated June 12, i877; application filed April 23, 1877.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEn A. PHELPs, of the city of Syracuse, county of Onondaga and State of New York, have invented a certain new and usef'ul Improvement in Toe-Weights for Forming and Regulating the Gait and Action of Trotting-Horses; and I declare the following to be a full, clear, and complete descripv tion of the same, that will enable any person the hinged tenon and appliances for attach-` ing the weight.

My invention consists in providing a weight with a hinged tenon, to be applied to the toes of horses7 hoofs for the purpose of .steadyingv and regulating the gait of trotting-horses, and to increase and develop their knee-action, and also to develop a trotting-gait in colts and pacers.

Experience has demonstrated the fact that the addition of a weight, as above applied,

produces this desirable result; but the dificulty heretofore has been in devising means to secure the `weight firmly, Iand atthe same time have a durable and practical device, as

the weights now in use break oi' readily, and cannot be retained in position.

This difficulty I have entirely overcome by providing on my Weight the hinged vtenon c, Fig. 3. The hinge permits the necessary m0- tion and conforms to the movement of the hoof as it strikes, thus forming an effective device and accomplishing the desirable result. I also provide loops on each side of the weight, Fig. 3, through which pass'the straps a a. In order to apply the device, a small incision is made in the shell of the hoof, justy above the shoe, Figs. 1 and 2, large enough to insert the hinged tenen of the weight. The weight is then applied by inserting the tenon in the incision and securing the straps around4 the hoof.

The straps may be of leather, as shown, or of metal. The weight w is made of metal, and is incased in a heavy leather cover, neatly stitched on, presenting an attractive appearance.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, the following, viz:

1. The toe-weight herein described, provided with a hinged tenon, substantially as shown and specied.

2. The combination of the weight 'w and y hinged tenon c with each other and the securing-straps, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 19th day of April, 187 7..

SAMUEL A. PHELPS. Witnesses:

GEORGE W. HEY, S. J. BILLINGTON. 

